As I type my final blog, it feels bittersweet that this class has come to end. The quarter went by so quickly and I feel that I still have so much to learn about aging. I’m currently working on my mini capstone and I’m excited to put the project together. I’m putting together a website that highlights “grandfluencers” and features myth-busting pictures and videos in order to contribute to combating ageism and debunking ageist myths. Last class, we visited Casa de Mañana, a senior living center in La Jolla. It was interesting to see what amenities this facility offers and what retirement could look like for older adults who are a little well off than most. I really enjoyed breaking off into smaller groups and getting to have conversations with them. It was interesting to see the careers they have, the work they love to do, and how they ended up at Casa de Mañana. Our group’s older adults stressed the importance of nutrition and keeping active. This trip definitely made me think about the ways in which retirement can be different for everyone. I’ve enjoyed every class outing we’ve had and each time I learn something new and different. This class has been very enriching, I’ve made new friendships, gotten to meet new people, and have had new experiences. I can say that my views about aging have changed slowly but surely, for the better! I’m excited to continue learning and growing outside the LCS program and am very grateful to have gotten to experience this!
This past week has been filled with exciting memories, fun adventures, experiences, and learning and growing more as a Life Course Scholar. Our Love/Care/Connect Event at the West Center was amazing. I had so much fun helping our seniors pot plants and watching them participate in the other activities my classmates set up. We managed to give every pot away with a plant and gave many Valentine’s Day stickers out as well. Some of my favorite moments to watch included our seniors at the photo booth. It brought a smile on my face watching the seniors dress up in crowns and boas while posing for a picture. Another exciting moment was the raffle. A couple of my classmates and I were helping seniors look at their raffle tickets to see if they won. A special moment was when a senior we were helping won the raffle, then he gave us each a teabag. I don’t plan on drinking it anytime soon because it has now become a special memorabilia for me. I had a great time on our class outing via the trolley to Barrio Logan for our age-friendliness assessment. It was my first time on the Blue Line, so it was very exciting to experience it with my peers. It was really nice to continue getting to know my fellow life course scholars and get to experience these moments with them. During my group’s walk around Barrio Logan, we noticed just how age-friendly Barrio Logan really was. We noticed that there was not enough sidewalk space, not enough time to walk the crosswalks, and a lack of available health and dental care. We did notice that art was a very essential part of the culture surrounding Barrio Logan and that the community’s activism really shines through Chicano Park. As always I am excited to continue learning and growing, and I look forward to the next couple of weeks left.
I can’t believe week 5 has ended and we’re well on our way into week 6 of the life course scholars program. Last week was our first outing as well as our first time meeting in person. Shoutout to Jasmine for the car ride there and back! It was really nice getting to know and see everyone outside of the Zoom realm. I really enjoyed our trip to the West Senior Wellness Center, it’s an amazing facility and it was interesting to learn about the many ways in which they help seniors in poverty and those who experience homelessness, live healthy and fulfilling lives. My favorite section of the facility was where they held their fitness classes, it brought me a sense of joy walking through the class as the seniors were working out. My favorite conversation had to be with one of the seniors in the dining hall, they told my classmates and I stories about New York, knocking on wood, and how they prefer a cane to a walker. Fun fact: the tables at the facility are not real wood, one of the seniors at the facility can testify. The conversation was full of laughs and I'm glad I had my fellow life course scholars with me to break the ice as we went around talking to the seniors. During this experience, it was unfortunate to see the impact covid has had on the facility. Everyone at the facility joked that there were more students than seniors. I hope that this facility can continue to thrive and help our seniors despite the circumstances. It was amazing to see how passionate the workers of the facility were and it inspired me to think about the ways in which I hope to get involved in helping our seniors. I’m very grateful to be a part of this program and it has been such a positive part of my winter quarter experience already, it has been deeply enriching so far, and I’m excited for the next couple of weeks to come.
As I write this post, week 3 has come to end and I’ll soon be into week 4 of the Life Course Scholars Program. Reflecting on my experience so far, I’ve enjoyed getting to know my fellow Life Course Scholars, virtually, as we navigate through Zoom once again. Our first introductions to each other in breakout rooms was really enjoyable as I got to know my classmates on a slightly deeper level, and felt seen as we all go through the motions of existing together. Something that stuck with me from the Wakeland Housing presentation we had in class, was Bruce speaking about his journey of experiencing homelessness. Bruce commented that society sometimes forgets that those experiencing homelessness are human beings. It’s really such a simple word, “human being”, that carries so much weight. At the end of the day we are all human, we are all worthy, and remembering that goes a long way. Throughout the weeks, we’ve been reading John Leland’s “Happiness is a Choice You Make” and a couple of quotes that stood out to me were the following: “Youth may be glorious, but it is also painful to endure” (14). “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love the hell out of you” (48). “We’re made better by loving unconditionally” (84). This book has made realize in a short amount of time that the happiness I so frequently search for is within me. It’s something I have never recognized. Maybe it’s time I love like there is no tomorrow, maybe it’s time I accept the help from others, and accept the kindness those offer me. Maybe then I will truly experience and find the happiness I crave so much. I look forward to the rest of the quarter, to the rest of the Life Course Scholar adventures, and the rest of what these readings hold for me. Signing out, until next time - Adriana.
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Adriana De La TorreAdriana De La Torre has a double major in Dance and Human Development with a specialization in Archives
March 2022
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